05, 83000 miles, idle problems at 50k fixed by dealer installing recall idle tune, oil tank oil seals crapped out at 65k as did the ignition switch, both were a fairly easy fix. At 80k had starting problems that were fixed by cleaning and greasing the battery terminals, the fuses, and installing a new starter relay. Since 06 have always kept the battery on a battery tender, that has worked wonders to keep the bike starting and running smoothly. My current battery is 5 years old and still as strong as new. It has by far been the most reliable bike I have owned, then again, it is the only bike I have put more than 30k on before selling.
I think it is important for Rocket owners to pay attention i.e. frequent this and other forums, and learn from others problems so you can prevent them, or when you do have a problem you can troubleshoot it quickly and maybe keep yourself from being stranded. A quick hotwire would have kept many from being stranded had they known right away it was the ignition switch. Actually I think there was an a post recently where someone got out of trouble by doing exactly that.
The "paint can rattle" has been frequently pointed to as an indication of oncoming failure. However, I have had this rattle off and on for nearly the entire time I have had the bike....it seems to be on in cold weather, off in warm weather. There have been times the rattle has been so bad I was certain the engine was about to crap out. But it just keeps plugging away and now it is starting and running better than ever.
The Rocket is my main source of transportation. I have a Suburban that only gets taken out when there is a large load to carry, it is raining hard, it is hot as hell, or I want to smoke a cigar while traveling. Some times I will choose the suburban when I just don't feel like paying the sort of attention that is required to ride a motorcycle safely, especially the Rocket, but that is rare.
